I had a almost simular situation - before I could back up my data.. the company I was working for nuked my phone via exchange server the day I quit.
I had tons of photos and personal contacts IN MY PERSONAL DEVICE.. it just happened to be connected to exchange because it was required in my posistion that I stay connected via email and calendar at all times..
My company and I had a bad break up when I gave them my 2 week notice they started making my life even worse then when I worked for them..
It was horrible one minute Iwas talking on the phone and then next - poof all my pim data was gone.
makes me mad to this day.. and it happened almost a month ago now..
some people and the power trips that they have when they know they control the data is amazing.. all my family contacts.. all my friends.. contacts I cant get back because those numbers where all I had to get a hold of them.. GONE